On Wednesday, April 23rd, women across Connecticut gathered together for the inaugural Connecticut Insurance Women’s Summit. Hosted at the Madison Beach Hotel by BIG I Connecticut, the day cultivated a space for women in all stages of their careers to connect, learn, and grow.

Melissa Gatto, Regional Marketing Manager and Big I CT Immediate Past Chair, envisioned this type of program after noticing a gap in the industry concerning events that nurtured women at varying roles in an agency. Despite facing financial challenges and push back from previous board members, Gatto continuously advocated for a gathering where all women in insurance could be empowered through engaging stories and actionable lessons. With over 130 attendees and a sold-out venue, Gatto’s passion paid off.

Women heard from dynamic speakers, networked with peers, and discussed professional development opportunities. Keynote speaker Renee Bauer, award-winning author of “She Who Wins” and Founder of Happy Even After Family Law, provided guidance and strategies on how to navigate the crossroads of life and overcome uncertainty. The second speaker, Brooke Liu, Senior Vice President of MarshBerry, presented on how to build your personal brand and effectively define your unique value proposition. Additionally, attendees engaged in dialogue with a panel including Danielle Brown, BIG I CT Chair; Lisa Lounsbury, BIG I CT & NY President; Shayna O’Brien, Account Manager at Hilb Group; and Gatto herself. The panel allowed women to gain insight from powerful, successful women about their professional and personal lives.

Many Lawley employees attended the conference including Andrea Feeley, Business Insurance Team Lead, who commented on how the conference pushed her professionally, expressing, “There were a lot of great topics covered like time management, the importance of building your personal brand, and how to succeed in a male-dominated industry. Confidence is key and something that I will continue to work on.”

Donelle Donadio, Business Insurance Account Manager also attended and highlighted the unique nature of convening with other female insurance professionals, stating, “I think it is important to be with your peers, learn from each other, motivate one another, and hold each other accountable.”

Gatto explained the resounding success of the event: “Attendance exceeded expectations, and the feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the event’s impact on professional growth and confidence building.  The Summit not only strengthened relationships within our community but also positioned our organization as a leader in supporting the advancement of women in the insurance industry.” With planning already underway for next year, it is sure to be a can’t miss event!